Concern at large dogs off leash at Mayo lake

LARGE dogs being let off leads at Lough Lannagh is causing concern.

Councillor Martin McLoughlin said they include Staffordshire bull terriers and German Shepherds when he raised the matter at a Castlebar Municipal District meeting.

Their temperament, he explained, 'is fearless, bold and courageous' and they are being allowed to wander free.

If an accident occurs, he warned, the council could be accused of negligence with regards the by-laws.

He was asking the council to patrol the area every day until the culprits were found.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne said they did not have the staff to do these patrols.

Councillor Donna Sheridan agreed these dogs should not be off their leads, but she had never seen this on a daily basis at the lake. But if it was happening they needed to get the wardens down there.

There are plenty of good dog owners, she added.

Councillor Ger Deere said there is a law there, that those dogs have to be on a lead. You can't have patrols 24/7.

Councillor Blackie Gavin said there is one way to solve the problem. There are three cameras there which are connected to the garda station, and he was sure whoever is at it, it's easy to catch them.

Some people look after their dogs 100%, agreed Councillor Kilcoyne. However, at the new and old cemeteries others let them off to run all over the graves.

There is a sign up, he said, 'but we don't implement it'.

Director or services John Condon said a focus on the lake some time ago did achieve improvements, and the wardens do carry out patrols.

There are two wardens for the entire county.